'Used to Play With Coconut Branch…Now Share Dressing Room With Legends': Sajeevan Sajana's Rise to WPL Stardom – News18

Sajeevan Sajana, she who shone brighter than all the lights that were on her. Her last-ball six against that clinched Mumbai Indians the win, shot her into the limelight, as she helped inspire the defending champions to a rousing start to the WPL 2024 campaign.

The right-hander stamped her mark in her WPL debut itself, smoking off-spinner Alice Capsey for that match-winning six over long-on.

Her exploits prompted her teammate Yastika Bhatia, who herself made a well-timed fifty, to term Sajana as the ‘Kieron Pollard’ of MI women’s outfit.

But unlike when she took the pitch, Sajana was not always armed with the needed equipment to take on the challenges of life In fact, her journey to the limelight started off humbly with a coconut branch as she worked hard to take her shot at her dreams of making it to the big stage.

In an exclusive interview with JioCinema, Sajana opened up about her humble beginnings and how her family aided her in every step of the way, leading up to her taking the crease at Mumbai.

“I was five-years-old when I started playing cricket. But I did not know much about women’s cricket. It was Elsamma teacher who introduced me to the game,” exclaimed Sajana.

“At that time, I did not have a proper cricket bat, so I used to play with a coconut branch and all.”

“However, when I was selected to play for Kerala, I got a professional kitbag. Our family background was a little weak, so when I played matches, I got DA, TA and match fee. This helped our family a little bit financially.”

And all her hard work would eventually pay off, as Sajana finally caught her break when Mumbai Indians signed the Kerala batter to their squad for Rs. 15 lakh in the WPL auctions in December 2023.

“Last year I didn’t get selected for WPL so I was very disappointed. I performed well and got selected by Mumbai Indians this year and was very happy and excited. I was very excited to spend time in the MI camp and share the dressing room with legends,” stated a joyous Sajana.

Her move to the Mumbai Indians was the ultimate reward for her parents, who rejoiced at watching their daughter rise up and get her shot at glory.

“We were surprised and very happy when we heard of her selection, because she should have got it earlier. But since she got it now, my eyes were filled with happiness. We have been waiting for this for a long time and our family rejoiced….Playing for Mumbai Indians will definitely carve out a way for her,” exclaimed Sajana’s parents.

But, this is merely the first step of many for young Sajana, who aims on donning not just the Mumbai blue but yet another prestigious one in her future: the Blues of India.

“My dream is to play for India and the WPL platform might help me get there,” stated an inspired Sajana.